PREORDER BLI 8810 EMD E8 A/B, ATSF 81L / 81A, Warbonnet, A-unit Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC, Unpowered B-unit, N

Following the success of the EMD E7, the E8 and E9 locomotives gained equal popularity among many Class 1 railroads. The E8 and E9 marked the culmination of the "E-Unit" series of passenger locomotives produced by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division in La Grange, Illinois. The E8 was capable of producing 2,250 horsepower, thanks to its two 12-cylinder model 567B engines, each driving a generator to power the two traction motors on one truck. From August 1949 to January 1954, a total of 450 cab versions, or E8As, were manufactured, with 447 for the U.S. and 3 for Canada. Additionally, 46 E8Bs were built exclusively for the U.S. from December 1949 to January 1954. The E9 followed the success of the E8. These locomotives produced slightly more horsepower than their predecessors, the E8s (2,400 compared to 2,250), and featured a different, flusher-fitting mounting for the headlight glass as the only visible difference. E9s powered American passenger and mail trains fr